Denys Rudyi / stock.adobe.com
A majority of French people express a negative feeling towards Europe, of worry (46%) or anger (13%); 16% declaring themselves indifferent and only a quarter expressing confidence (15%) or optimism (10%), according to an Ifop survey for West France*. Concern is highest among artisans and traders (53%) and retirees (50%), according to this study published Thursday for Europe Day. The majority of right-wing and far-right supporters (53%) say they are worried. The angriest are found in the ranks of Reconquest (34%) and the National Rally (23%).
A majority of French people nevertheless say they are proud to be European, but this feeling is declining, going from 68% in December 2021 to 59% in April 2024. In addition, fewer and fewer French people are finding positive effects in European construction for France (50% compared to 53% in March 2017). More than half of artisans and traders (53%) and workers (51%) rarely or never feel proud to belong to the European Union. If 84% of voters in the presidential majority and 71% of those on the left express their pride, there are only 36% for Reconquest and the RN. Even among French people proud to be European, the feeling of concern (43%) takes precedence over confidence (24%) and optimism (14%).
Closer to Spain
The people interviewed also believe that certain territories benefit more from EU policy and financial resources. For 70%, Île-de-France is advantaged, as are the metropolises (66%). On the contrary, the majority judges that rural municipalities (64%), difficult suburbs (63%) and peri-urban areas (52%) do not benefit from these means. The people questioned primarily trust the municipality (23%) and the region (22%) to “respond to the challenges of the future”with only 10% citing Europe first.
Finally, the countries to which the French feel closest are Spain (24%), Germany (23%), Belgium (18%) and Italy (14%), all other states collecting 3%. or less.
*This survey was carried out by telephone from April 4 to 13 and online from April 17 to 25 with a sample of 4,821 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over, using the quota method. The margin of error is between 1.8 and 2.9 points.